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Macroscopic examination of the Cervix and Uterus of the female agouti showing the Utero-tubal junction (UTJ), Uterus (U), Septum (S), Cervix at pelvic inlet (CX) and Fornix Vagina (FV). Scale bar represents 2 cm.
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This study investigated the gross and microscopic anatomy of the reproductive tract of five cage reared female agouti (Dasyprocta leporina). The ovaries were paired yellow ovoid bodies with a mean (± SD) length of 10 mm (± 2.1), held near the caudal pole of the kidneys. The ovarian cortex consisted of cellular connective tissue in which ovarian fol...
Similar publications
This study investigated the gross and microscopic anatomy of the reproductive tract of five cage reared female agouti (Dasyprocta leporina). The ovaries were paired yellow ovoid bodies with a mean (± SD) length of 10 mm (± 2.1), held near the caudal pole of the kidneys. The ovarian cortex consisted of cellular connective tissue in which ovarian fol...
Citations
... The ovaries were pale yellow in colour with tiny translucent areas that were oval in shape and had a smooth surface with no ovarian bursa [14,20,25,[40][41][42]. The ovary, found within adipose tissue and supported by the mesovarium, was enclosed by the tunica albuginea and consisted of two layers-the cortex, which was the outer layer, and the medulla, which was the inner layer [40][41][42]. ...
... The ovaries were pale yellow in colour with tiny translucent areas that were oval in shape and had a smooth surface with no ovarian bursa [14,20,25,[40][41][42]. The ovary, found within adipose tissue and supported by the mesovarium, was enclosed by the tunica albuginea and consisted of two layers-the cortex, which was the outer layer, and the medulla, which was the inner layer [40][41][42]. Weir [20] stated that the ovaries weighed 0.207 ± 0.019 g, however, Oliveira et al. [42] found that both the right and left ovaries had the same weight of 0.09 ± 0.01 g. Further morphometric data of the ovary could be seen in Table 1. ...
... Further morphometric data of the ovary could be seen in Table 1. Ovary -1.04 --- [41] There were three parts of the uterine tubes: the infundibulum, ampulla, and isthmus [25,42,43]. The paired uterine horns increased in width as they approached the uterus and had a mean length of 2.2 ± 0.19 cm, with the left uterine horn being more tortuous [41]. ...
Simple Summary
This literature review focused on the reproductive technologies used in female neo-tropical hystricomorphic rodents. Reproductive technologies aid in efficient reproduction, which is important in these species as they are hunted and valued for their meat. Knowledge of the anatomy and physiology would aid in assisted reproductive techniques, thus attention was given to these areas. Within this group of rodent species there were similar characteristics, some of which have been highlighted as well as any unique features. Some reproductive technologies used included colpocytology, ultrasonography, and hormonal analysis.
Abstract
This is the second of two literature reviews that focuses on the female reproductive anatomy and reproductive technologies used in selected neo-tropical hystricomorphic rodents. The rodents chosen included the agouti (Dasyprocta leporina), the capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), and the paca (Cuniculus paca). Over seventy references were used, spanning the years 1919–2021. Knowledge of the reproductive tract is important in understanding any unique features, which may affect the use of reproductive technologies. Some unique characteristics common to these species included the presence of a vaginal closure membrane and a lobulated placenta with a vascular sub-placenta. The capybara had hyperpigmentation of the vagina that was unique to each individual, while the agouti and paca had accessory corpora lutea, in addition to the main one. Some reproductive technologies have been used, with attempts at estrous induction and synchronization taking place within the past five years. Even though most work has been done over the past twenty years, there is still a dearth of information.
... The female agouti's reproductive anatomy also received attention, with a detailed description provided by Singh et al. (2014). The findings of this research added support to the use of vaginal cytology as a method for the evaluation of reproductive stages of the female agouti. ...
Food derived from animals in the neo-tropics are heavily dependent on the use of a limited number of domesticated livestock species (chickens, sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, turkeys). The steady growth of the population has required that novel approaches and food sources be applied to meet the needs of the populace. The use of wildlife (non-domesticated animals) for food production, is one such approach that has over the years, been overlooked for its value. Presently this type of food production system utilising local, neo-tropical species is practiced on a limited scale in the Caribbean; and yet this system has the potential to improve food and nutrition security in the region, via the provision of a steady source of protein and income, using species that are endemic to the region. Recent attention has been given to animal production of wildlife species in the neo-tropics, with the focus on highly hunted species e.g. peccary, capybara, agouti and opossum. The goal of this paper is to examine the work and research in the Caribbean, that has been conducted toward the development of wildlife production of two species, opossum (Didelphis marsupialis insularis) and agouti (Dasyprocta leporina). It will highlight the recent research that has emerged, including information on the important factors of reproduction, nutrition and behaviour. By studying these important production factors, the feasibility of wildlife production systems for the Caribbean region will be demonstrated. Finally, future areas requiring research will be highlighted to allow for more widespread use of wildlife species as additional and sustainable sources of food for the region.
... Therefore, there would have been some difficulty for two large fetuses to pass through the right cervix due to the agoutis' reproductive anatomy. Further work done by Singh et al., (2014) were in disagreement with Mayor et al., (2011) and stated that the agouti had one cervix and the two uterine horns connected to the body of the uterus which was connected to a common cervix. Other hystricomorphic rodents such as the capybara (Hydrochaerus hydrochaeris) and the lappe (Agouti paca/ Cuniculus paca) had uterine tubes that were independent of each other and were connected independently to two cervices (Matamoros, 1981;Miglino et al., 2013). ...
Reproductive diseases have been well documented in domestic livestock such as sheep, goat, cattle and pigs. However, there is very little information on these diseases in the agouti (Dasyprocta leporina). The agouti is used for its meat in South America and the Caribbean. More recently, intensive farming of this animal is being practiced in the Neotropics. There is dearth of information on dystocia and vaginal prolapses in the agouti. This document reports on three cases of reproductive diseases in captive reared agoutis in Trinidad and Tobago. The first case was a female agouti weighing approximately 3 kg that was in the last stage of pregnancy, which was found dead in its cage. The vulva of the mother had the protruding hind-limbs of the fetus. Necroscopic evaluation of carcass revealed little fat tissue and the mother had two fetuses in the right horn of the uterus. Each fetus weighed approximately 200 g. The fetuses were well formed with fur, teeth and eyes. The placenta was attached to each fetus. The pathological findings suggested that dystocia resulted from secondary uterine inertia which was the cause of death of the adult female agouti. The second case was that of an adult female agouti weighing 2.5 kg. This female had given birth to an offspring three weeks prior and was observed to have had a vaginal prolapse. Surgery was performed and the prolapsed vagina was placed back into the pelvic cavity. Further to this intervention, the vagina prolapsed twice. Subsequent to the re-insertion of the vaginal tissue the agouti was euthanized. The third case was also that of a dystocia. However, the fetuses weighed 235 g and 165 g respectively and were in normal presentation, posture and positioning. The fetus however was unable to pass via the vagina and was trapped in the pelvic cavity. This caused secondary uterine inertia which was the cause of death. The causes of reproductive diseases in these cases are unknown but the feeding management and space allowance given to the agouti in late gestation may be contributing factors.
... Thus, creating a growing need for information on this species and the captive rearing of the agouti affords researchers the opportunity to investigate the ecology of the rodent. 3 Interest in farming the animal is increasing and some advocates recommended the domestication of farmed populations. 4 Furthermore, the history, trends and benefits of Wildlife farming in Trinidad were also emphasized, giving value to the aforementioned. ...
... After the processing of semen the uncharted area of artificial insemination (AI) in the agouti is possible as the foundational pool of knowledge to initiate the application of this reproductive technique is available. Namely, anatomy of the male and female 3 reproductive system have increased the limited body of knowledge on the species. Furthermore, the estrous cycle, 22,23 related hormonal activity 24,25 and stimulatory effect of the presence of the male agouti on the onset of female puberty 17 will assist in the application of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) in the species. ...
This mini review examines the major articles published on the anatomy of the male reproductive system of three Dasyprocta species., namely Dasyprocta aguti, Dasyprocta leporine and Dasyprocta prymnolopha. The paper reviews major investigations on the topic and highlights additional research (collection and processing of agouti semen) which used this foundational knowledge set as its catalyst. Future scientific works are recommended based on the existing literature.
... Therefore, the two large foetuses that were present in the right uterine horn would have had to pass through the right cervix, which may have contributed to the dystocia seen in this case. Further work done by Singh et al. [44] were in disagreement with Mayor et al. [43] and stated that the agouti had one cervix and the two uterine horns connected to the body of the uterus, which was ...
... Therefore, the two large foetuses that were present in the right uterine horn would have had to pass through the right cervix, which may have contributed to the dystocia seen in this case. Further work done by Singh et al. [44] were in disagreement with Mayor et al. [43] and stated that the agouti had one cervix and the two uterine horns connected to the body of the uterus, which was connected to a common cervix. Other hystricomorphic rodents such as the capybara (Hydrochaerus hydrochaeris) and the lappe (Agouti paca/Cuniculus paca) had uterine horns that were independent of each other and were connected independently to two cervices [45,46]. ...
Dystocia is a complication that occurs at parturition either due to foetal or maternal factors. This condition has been well studies in domesticated species. However, there is very little information on dystocia in the agouti (Dasyprocta leporina). The agouti is utilized for its meat in South America and the Caribbean. More recently, farming of these animals intensively is being practiced in the Neo-tropics. This case report attempted to provide some insight into dystocia in the agouti which has been rarely reported in animals in captivity. A female agouti weighing approximately 3 kg (kg), which was in the last stage of pregnancy, was found dead in its cage. The vulva of the animal had the hind-limbs of the offspring protruding. Upon necropsy the animal had little fat reserves and had two foetuses in the right horn of the uterus. The feet of on offspring were dislocated and exposed at the level of the vulva. Each foetus weighed approximately 200 g. The foetuses were well formed with fur, teeth and eyes. The placenta was attached to each of the foetuses. The pathological findings suggested that dystocia resulted in secondary uterine inertia, which was the cause of death of the adult female agouti. To prevent the recurrence of this situation the gestation should be staged (timed) using ultrasonography. Animals which are in their third stage of gestation should be monitored using cameras or with personnel at the facility to assist agoutis which are having difficulties at parturition.
... These were bipartite (in cows), bicornuate (in pigs), simplex of one pear-shaped (in humans and horses), and duplex (in rabbits, guinea pigs, mice, golden hamsters, agouti, and rats). 5,[12][13][14] Histologically, the uterine wall revealed three histological layers that were endometrium, myometrium, and perimetrium in many species such as agouti, Wistar rats, and albino rat and others. The endometrium enclosed several uterine glands, which were extended into the submucosa region. ...
... The myometrium was constructed by both circular and longitudinal layers of smooth muscle fibers, intervened between them a vascular layer made up of numerous blood vessels. 13,15,16 Currently, there are no available studies in the previous and present literatures investigated the uterus of the adult female guinea pigs. Accordingly, the current project was conducted to study the histomorphology and histochemical aspects of the uterus of the adult female guinea pigs at their diestrous stage of the estrous cycle to provide better understanding basic data to other fields such as pathology, physiology, and pharmacology. ...
Objectives: This study was carried out to identify the histomorphological and histochemical aspects of the uterus in the adult guinea pig (Cavia porcellus). To conduct such project, fourteen adult guinea pigs at their diestrous period were bought from the local breeders directly. Methods: Animals were euthanized, dissected, and subsequently uteruses specimens were collected and fixed by 10% neutral buffered formalin and some specimens were fixed in Bouin's solution for subsequent histochemical staining. Then after specimens were subjected to routine processes such as dehydration, clearing, embedding, and block preparation. Sections of 6 µm were prepared and stained with haematoxylin-eosin, Masson's Trichrome, Alcian blue (pH 2.5), and Periodic acid shiff stains. Findings: Gross findings of the uteruses revealed duplex uterus in the guinea pigs. It possessed two separate uterine horns united caudally to form the body, suspended by mesometrium in the abdominal cavity. Caudally, body formed the cervix, which was short and projected into the vaginal cavity forming portio vaginalis uteri with one cervical orifice.Microscopic findings revealed abrupt changes in the wall of the isthmus into the uterine horn at the utero-tubal junction. The wall of the uterus showed endometrium, vascular layer, myometrium, and adventitia or serosa. Lining epithelium was simple columnar which was similarly lined the endometrial glands. Myometrium was consisted of inner circular and outer longitudinal bundles of smooth muscle fibers. In the body, the lining epithelium was replaced gradually by simple mucous columnar epithelium. In addition to that the mucosa was thrown into long folds leaving small lumen at the cervix called os cervix. Such changes were associated with endometrial glands gradual diminishing till the cervix. Histochemically, the non-ciliated columnar cells present in the body and cervix were stained positively with AB (pH 2.5) and PAS stains. The reaction with AB (pH 2.5) was more intense compared with the staining with PAS so that it indicated that mucin was more acidic than neutral in nature.
... These factors are (i) feeding and nutrition, (ii) reproduction and breeding, (iii) health and disease, (iv) housing and environement, (v) economic and socioeconomic factors, and (vi) animal behavior and psycology [3,4]. Recently, the agouti, D. leporina, has been studied in more detail, with focus on the anatomy of the male and female reproductive system, oestrus cycle in the female (28-31 days) as well as semen analysis using electroejaculation [5][6][7][8] Further anatomical investigations of the digestive system of the agoutis revealed that the majority of the gastrointestinal tract was small intestine in conjunction with a large cecum [9]. The agoutis mainly are frugivorous with the majority of the diet consisting of nuts and fruits, with potentially a preferential particle size [10][11][12][13]. ...
In this review, information was summarized on endoparasites found in six non-domesticated neotropical animals. These mammals have the potential to be domesticated. The animals included three rodents, agouti (Dasyprocta leporina), lappe (Agouti paca), and capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris); a marsupial, manicou (Didelphis marsupialis insularis); and an artiodactyl, the collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu/Peccari tajacu) and a ruminant (the red brocket deer, Mazama americana). While there are many descriptions of the parasites present, the majority of publications failed to note the effect of them on the animals. Most information is available on endoparasites of capybara, while the endoparasites of the red brocket deer were the least reported. The manicou was reported to have had the most number of endoparasites, 44 species of parasites were reported, while there were only 24 endoparasites reported in the lappe. The most common parasites found in these neotropical animals were Paraspidodera uncinata, Strongyloides spp., Eimeria spp., Moniezia benedeni, Trichuris spp., Physocephalus spp., and Giardia spp. A large majority of the studies concluded that these animals were reservoirs for parasites that could affect domesticated livestock. Endoparasites of zoonotic significance were Echinoccocus spp., Trichuris spp., Giardia spp., and Cryptosporidium spp.
... Ovaries of the current guinea pigs were paired similar to other smallsized mammalian species such as female agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) which were related to guinea pigs (Singh et al., 2014). Differently, ovaries in the hamster found ovoid in shape and completely enclosed in a bursa (Chanut and Williams, 2016). ...
... The current data showed that the cortex and medulla were not easily identified in the ovaries of adult guinea pigs because of the formation and development of many ovarian follicles that were occupied more spaces of the cortical and medullary regions. These caused indistinct separation of these two regions and such structural features were also recognized in ovaries of other species such as does (Al-Saffar and Almayahi, 2018a), rats (Lalithamma et al., 2016), female agouti (Singh et al., 2014) and female Wistar rats (Akpantah et al., 2010). ...
... The medulla in the ovaries of guinea pigs were formed of irregular dense connective tissue bundles filling the core of the ovary which passed through hilus into the medullary stroma where many blood vessels branches intervene with connective tissue running between follicles, distinctly distributed around large follicles. These findings came in agreement with those recorded in does (Al-Saffar and Almayahi, 2018a), rat (Lalithamma et al., 2016), hamster (Chunt and Williams, 2016) and female agouti (Singh et al., 2014). ...
... Previous studies have reported the presence of an inverted choriovitelline placenta (Conceição et al., 2008;Oliveira, 2012). The reproductive system of these animals consists of ovaries, uterine tubes, a partially double uterus, cervix, and vagina Mayor, Bodmer, & Bejar, 2011;Singh, Adogwa, Mollineau, & Garcia, 2014). ...
... The female reproductive system of D. leporina consisted of a pair of ovaries, a pair of uterine tubes, two uterine horns, a cervix, vagina, and vulva, similar to those described in the genus Dasyprocta (Mayor et al., 2011;Singh et al., 2014), and other hystricomorphic rodents (Felipe, Cabodevila, & Callejas, 1999;Mayor et al., 2002;Mayor, Béjar, Jori, Fenech, & Gatius, 2003;Santos et al., 2014;Weir, 1971). This species also displayed some peculiarities, such as a partially double uterus, the absence of a vaginal vestibule, and the presence of keratinized spicules on the top of clitoris, as reported by Reis, Gerbasi, Martins, Machado, and Oliveira (2011) in the paca (Cuniculus paca), which shows the taxonomical relationship between the two species. ...
... It is worth mentioning that in agouti, the uterine horns are almost completely individualized. The cervix, cranially, has a septum that divides it into two internal cervical ostia, whereas caudally, this septum disappears, forming a single ostium (the external cervical ostium) that opens into the vagina as described in other caviomorph rodents Reis, Gerbasi, et al., 2011;Singh et al., 2014). ...
The study investigated the gross and microscopic anatomy of the genital organs of 20 agoutis at different stages of the estrous cycle and four in the final trimester of pregnancy. Specimens were euthanized and their reproductive organs were fixed in a 4% paraformaldehyde or 2.5% glutaraldehyde solution and submitted to routine histological techniques for light and scanning electron microscopy. In the ovary, during the proestrus phase, we observed developing follicles and corpus luteum (CL) in regression; during estrus, there were Graafian follicles; during metestrus, there was a hemorrhagic corpus, whereas in diestrus, there was a mature CL. The uterus was partially double because the cervix was cranially septate but caudally, the septum disappeared, forming a single ostium that opened into the vagina. Changes occurred along the estrous cycle in the uterine and vaginal epithelia, that is, an increase in the uterine epithelium height accompanied by an increase of thickness of the vaginal epithelium during the follicular phase and a decrease of thickness of both epithelia during the luteal phase. The endometrial lining was composed of a simple cuboidal epithelium to simple columnar epithelium with basal nuclei. The vaginal mucosa consisted of epithelium that varied from nonkeratinized stratified squamous (luteal phase) to keratinized stratified squamous (follicular phase). The clitoris was external to the vagina. It presented two protruding lateral keratinized spicules and a centralized urethra, with no common parts between the urinary and genital tracts. Anatomical and histological changes were observed mainly in the cervix, vagina and spicules of the clitoris during the EC.
... e preferred feed particle size in feeding agoutis was found to be 12.7 mm × 25.4 mm for captive reared animals [6]. Gross anatomy of the male and female reproductive systems in the agouti was investigated in Trinidad; electroejaculation was performed in the male animal [7,8]. In South America, analysis of blood hormones (oestrogen and progesterone) and the oestrus cycle was investigated in the agouti, and the duration of the cycle was approximately 28 days [9]. ...
The agouti is a Neotropical rodent which is mainly utilized for its meat in rural communities. Recently, captive rearing of these animals by wildlife farmers have increased in the Neotropics. This short communication consists of observation of feeding behaviour of captive reared agoutis at the University of the West Indies Field Station in Trinidad and Tobago. This is the first time in Trinidad and Tobago that meat consumption and the omnivorous behaviour of the agouti have been documented in the literature. The consumption of chicken ( Gallus domesticus ) eggs, dead chickens, and a brown dove ( Zenaida macroura ) by captive reared agoutis was noted. This document described the omnivorous behaviour of the agouti which is primarily considered a frugivorous animal. Similar studies in South America have shown that wild and captive reared agoutis consumed animal matter. Further work must be done on the dietary needs and nutrient requirements of the agouti at different physiological states.
